Video summary

What If Ash Kept Greninja?

Main summary

Key takeaways

Entertainment

Timeline Premise: “What If Ash Kept Greninja?”

In this timeline, Lysander is beaten, and Zygarde’s restoration permanently removes Team Flare’s vines—so Ash’s Greninja is no longer “forced” to stay the lone hero.

Instead, Ash takes Greninja with him, and the journey pivots hard into Alola while keeping major beats from the Pokémon Sun/Moon era.

Main Plot / Progression

  • Ash + Greninja arrive in Alola with Pikachu, changing Greninja’s role from constant “top-of-the-line” pressure to more of a support/bond partner.
  • Greninja gains early power moments:
    • His first major showcase against Hala uses Ash-Greninja (Satoshi Gekkouga) and the Z-Move Breakneck Blitz, impressing Ash’s friends with how special Greninja is.
  • A new storyline thread is introduced: Wimpod
    • Separated and rescued on Treasure Island, Wimpod survives longer and sees what it could become due to Greninja’s presence and strength.
    • Wimpod chooses to stay with Ash.
    • Unlike the rest of Ash’s Alola team, Wimpod isn’t brave or battle-ready yet, creating comedy while building a heartfelt “finding your place” arc.
  • Wimpod’s growth becomes more meaningful during Totem Wishiwashi:
    • It tries to step up, panics, and fails.
    • It then learns (with Greninja’s support) how to face fear properly.
  • The story continues mostly like canon after this, including Ash’s return to Kanto and later arcs, with Wimpod’s transformation simmering in the background.

Standout Fights and Key Turning Points

  • Misty’s Mega Gyarados matchup (Kanto return)
    • Greninja gets another major spotlight and wins with Hydro Vortex.
    • Wimpod watches in awe, reinforcing Greninja as the model for courage.
  • Hala’s arrival and rivalry
    • Hala is framed as a Kalose League graduate studying abroad who recognizes the “mysterious Greninja” trainer connection.
    • Their rivalry peaks in a high-level fight vs Hala’s Kangaskhan, where Ash responds using Ash-Greninja.
    • Team Skull interrupts right at the climax, forcing a shift in how the rivalry plays out.
    • Afterward, Hala stays in Alola and challenges Ash with sparring-style rematches.
  • Guzma moment + Wimpod’s breakthrough
    • When Guzma battles Ash, Wimpod realizes what it isn’t:
      • Golisopod is fearless and dominant.
      • That contrast becomes the push Wimpod needs.
    • Ash’s Ash-Greninja overwhelm defeats Guzma, and Team Skull’s humiliation effectively sidelines them for the flow of the plot.
  • Kyogre incident payoff
    • Poachers attack.
    • Unlike before, Wimpod doesn’t run:
      • It evolves into Golisopod
      • Then finally stands on its own.
    • It learns Liquidation, mirroring Greninja’s cutting style in spirit and function.
    • It helps weaken Kyogre so Lana’s singing can calm it down.
    • This acts as redemption for Wimpod’s earlier weakness during Totem Wishiwashi.

Alola League Changes / Emotional Beats

  • With Team Skull “nuked from the story,” the Alola League plays cleaner.
  • Greninja helps push through key matches (including Kiawe, thanks to Golisopod).
  • Ash still reaches the finals vs Gladion, like canon.
  • The final against Tapu Koko becomes a major tragedy/character moment:
    • Greninja pushes to his limits and loses—his first loss since Kalos.
    • It comes down to Pikachu, who saves the day with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, including overcoming Tapu Koko’s Guardian.
    • Greninja’s quiet reaction matters:
      • He’s reminded of Kalos.
      • He still fears he “wasn’t enough,” setting up later growth.

Jump to Galar and Beyond (PWC / Dynamax / Aura Mentorship)

  • After Ash leaves Alola, he joins Professor Cerise’s world-travel research route with Go.
  • They investigate Dynamax/Gigantamax, beginning with a Gigantamax Snorlax:
    • So huge even Ash’s core team can’t beat it.
    • Instead of stopping them, it triggers mutual escalation between Pikachu and Greninja.
  • Ash sees Leon:
    • A rampaging Gigantamax Drednaw leads to an exhibition battle.
    • Pikachu Gigantamaxes for the first time, but loses—motivating Pikachu to master the form and seek a higher-tier “rival” level against Ash-Greninja.
  • Biggest mentor twist:
    • When Riolu appears, its aura resonates with Ash immediately.
    • Meanwhile, Greninja is already there as an early mentor, accelerating Riolu’s growth much earlier than in canon.
  • Ash’s later battles highlight the shift:
    • Greninja is no longer only carrying everything.
    • Riolu (and Lucario) begins stepping up much faster.
    • Greninja’s role becomes guidance, not total burden.

Darkest Day and Later Ranking Acceleration

  • During Darkest Day, even Greninja can’t stop Eternatus alone.
    • Ash and Zamazenta are needed.
    • Greninja internalizes the lesson and trains harder instead of pretending he can solo everything.
  • Ash climbs higher classes faster, including earlier matches vs:
    • Surge, Nessa, Marnie, Korrina
  • An altered route accelerates Ash’s progress due to earlier Ultra Class entry.

Kalos Redemption + “Don’t Carry It Alone” (Big Climax)

  • In the Masters promotion to face Alain, Greninja struggles:
    • When he transforms, Ash-Greninja feels unstable again.
    • They aren’t fully synced versus Mega Charizard X.
  • Emotional peak:
    • Greninja is pushing himself to make up for their Kalos League loss.
    • The realization lands when Ash senses it.
  • Instead of pressuring Greninja, Ash reassures him.
    • The team wins together.
    • The perfected form stabilizes again.
    • Ash finally redeems the earlier Kalos defeat.

Masters Eight Run / Final Fulfillment of the Bond

  • vs Leon
    • Greninja handles early heavy lifting (Bond Phenomenon), but Charizard defeats him.
    • Then Pikachu Gigantamaxes and wins the upset.
  • vs Diantha
    • Greninja achieves redemption with Ash-Greninja vs Mega Gardevoir after an intense 6-on-6.
  • vs Cynthia
    • Greninja dives through problems caused by Stealth Rocks.
    • He forces Cynthia’s Garchomp into mega-evolution.
    • He clears hazards with his last strength.
    • Mega Lucario finishes the job, with Riolu (grown under Greninja’s guidance) stepping in.
  • Final message:
    • Greninja accepts he doesn’t have to carry everything alone anymore.
    • Once he lets that pressure go, he fights at his best—and helps others rise to his level.

Ending Payoff / Teased Ultimate Form

  • The bond keeps evolving beyond the “perfected” state.
  • The story ends with a legend-like promise of the fabled Mega Greninja.

Humor / Notable Reactions

  • Wimpod’s comedic panic moments (especially during Totem Wishiwashi)
    • The jokes come from it being scared and overwhelmed.
    • The video repeatedly underlines the idea that it “doesn’t belong yet.”
  • Team Skull’s interruption at the exact peak of Hala’s battle
    • A classic franchise-style disruption,
    • But still functions as a catalyst for the rivalry.

Personalities (as Portrayed in the Video)

  • Ash (Satoshi)
  • Greninja (Ash-Greninja / Satoshi Gekkouga)
  • Pikachu
  • Wimpod → Golisopod
  • Hala
  • Lana
  • Lysander
  • Guzma
  • Team Skull
  • Hau
  • Kiawe
  • Gladion
  • Kukui
  • Ilima
  • Tapu Koko
  • Go
  • Professor Cerise
  • Leon
  • Riolu → Lucario
  • Korrina
  • Bea
  • Nessa
  • Alain
  • Iris
  • Raihan
  • Diantha
  • Cynthia
  • Golisopod
  • Zamazenta
  • Zygarde

Original video